ceased to function

USAGE SUMMARY

"ceased to function" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea that something has stopped working. For example: "The computer ceased to function after the power surge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Our board has ceased to function effectively".

The New York Times

Had the stage machinery ceased to function?

The New York Times - Arts

Harare's two biggest hospitals have almost ceased to function.

The Economist

Harare's main hospitals have virtually ceased to function.

The Economist

When the brain stem has ceased to function?

Encyclopedia Britannica

The organism as a whole had clearly ceased to function.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When the terror attacks of Sept. 11 destroyed the World Trade Center, Evergreen ceased to function.

The New York Times

Amid the upheaval, many of Ukraine's institutions ceased to function, including the Army.

The New Yorker

Somehow this house, this family home that we built up has ceased to function.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Later, in the panic of 1893, the Percheron Association went bankrupt and ceased to function.

Wikipedia

Wooden beams were deteriorating, gutters had ceased to function and walls were cracking.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ceased to function" when you want to convey a formal or technical tone, indicating that something has stopped working or operating as intended. It is suitable for describing systems, organizations, or even abstract concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "ceased to function" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "stopped working" or "broke down" are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ceased to function" typically acts as a verb phrase within a sentence, indicating that a subject has stopped performing its intended action or operation. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Encyclopedias

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ceased to function" is a versatile phrase used to describe something that has stopped working or operating correctly. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various reliable sources. While suitable for formal and technical contexts, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate for informal settings. Its primary function is to report a state of inactivity or failure, and it is most commonly found in news media and encyclopedia articles. When you use "ceased to function", ensure the level of formality aligns with your intended audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stopped working

Replaces "ceased to" with the more common "stopped" and "function" with "working", making it less formal.

stopped its operation

More explicitly states that the process of functioning has stopped.

became inoperative

Substitutes "ceased to function" with a more technical term, implying a failure to operate.

failed to operate

Replaces "ceased to" with "failed to", indicating an inability to perform its intended function.

was no longer operational

Indicates a state of non-operation, often used in technical or formal contexts.

went out of service

Implies that something was previously in use but is now unavailable or not working.

broke down

A more informal way of saying something stopped working, usually due to a mechanical failure.

became inactive

Suggests a cessation of activity, implying a dormant state rather than complete failure.

shut down

Suggests a deliberate or forced cessation of activity, often used for systems or machines.

became defunct

Indicates that something is no longer in use or existence, often applied to organizations or systems.

FAQs

How can I use "ceased to function" in a sentence?

You can use "ceased to function" to describe when something stops working or operating correctly. For example, "The equipment "ceased to function" after the power outage".

What are some alternatives to "ceased to function"?

Alternatives include "stopped working", "failed to operate", or "became inoperative". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "ceased to function" formal or informal?

"Ceased to function" is generally considered a more formal phrase. In informal contexts, alternatives like "stopped working" are often preferred.

Which is more appropriate, "ceased to function" or "stopped working"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "ceased to function" is more formal and technical. Use it in professional or academic writing. "Stopped working" is suitable for everyday conversation and less formal writing.